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Home Farm
Home farming is about growing your own food, raising small animals, and using your space — no matter the size — to become more self-reliant. It saves money, reduces waste, and brings a sense of control and peace in uncertain times.
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5 Home Farm Hacks
- Use Eggshells as Seed Starters
Crack eggs carefully and save the shells. Fill each half with soil and a seed. Place them in the carton near sunlight. Once sprouted, plant the whole shell in the garden — it composts naturally.
- Turn Kitchen Scraps into Compost
Collect vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells in a container. Add them to a compost bin with yard clippings. Rotate weekly. Use the rich compost to improve garden soil and reduce waste.
- Grow Green Onions from Store-Bought Scraps
Place the white root ends of green onions in a glass of water. Set it by a sunny window. Within days, they’ll regrow. Cut what you need, and they’ll keep coming back.
- Use Old Pallets to Build Vertical Planters
Stack or stand wooden pallets against a wall or fence. Fill the slats with soil and herbs or shallow-root vegetables. Saves space and reuses free material.
- Collect Rainwater with a DIY Barrel
Use a clean trash bin or barrel. Cut a hole in the lid for a downspout or funnel. Add a mesh screen to keep out debris. Store the water and use it to irrigate your plants during dry spells.
Keeping Chickens at home the basics
1. Start with 3–6 Chickens
A small flock is easier to manage. Hens don’t need a rooster to lay eggs. Start with common breeds like Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, or Sussex — they’re hardy and good layers.
2. Build a Secure Coop
Chickens need shelter from weather and predators. Minimum space: 3–4 square feet per bird inside the coop, plus 8–10 square feet per bird in the run. Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire for better protection.
3. Feed and Water Daily
Use a balanced layer feed for egg production. Provide grit (small stones) for digestion. Clean water should be available at all times. Add apple cider vinegar occasionally to keep water fresh.
4. Collect Eggs Daily
Hens usually lay one egg per day. Collect eggs each day to keep them clean and prevent breakage or pecking.
5. Clean the Coop Weekly
Remove droppings, replace bedding (straw or wood shavings), and check for pests like mites. A clean coop keeps hens healthy and reduces smell.
Build a Mini Compost Station
Why: Saves money on fertilizer and reduces kitchen waste.
What you need: A plastic bin, bucket, or old wooden box with a lid.
What to do:
- Drill or poke a few holes in the bottom and sides (for airflow).
- Place the bin in a shaded outdoor spot with drainage.
- Start layering:
- “Greens” (veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells)
- “Browns” (dry leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard)
- “Greens” (veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells)
- Stir once a week with a stick or garden tool.
- Keep it moist but not soggy.
In a few weeks, you’ll have nutrient-rich compost for garden beds, planters, or raised boxes.