Firewood Moisture Content: How to Test It Before You Pay for Water
Firewood moisture content decides your winter heat, not species. Get the 20 percent rule, the meter test, and how to spot wet wood before you pay.
Featured reference
Homestead reference charts
Three field guides worth bookmarking — canning times, cellar storage, and safe cooking temps.
Home canning
| Food | Pressure | Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Green beans | 10 lb | 20m |
| Corn | 10 lb | 55m |
| Tomatoes | water bath | 35m |
USDA/NCHFP processing times & pressures for common foods.
View full chart →Produce storage
| Item | Store | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | cool, dry | 9 mo |
| Potatoes | cellar | 4–6 mo |
| Apples | cellar | 6 mo |
How long fruit & veg keep in the cellar, fridge and freezer.
View full chart → NetworkMeat doneness
| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for steak & burgers, from Popular BBQ.
View full chart →Reader Favorites
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What Is Homesteading? The Definition, the Law, and the USDA Numbers
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How Much Compost Is Too Much in a Raised Bed? What the Extension Services Publish
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Michael Reynolds and the Earthship: The Homestead That Tries to Run Itself
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What to Plant in August for a Fall Harvest: A Zone-by-Zone Homestead Guide (2026)
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Home Canning Safety: The Botulism Rules Every Homesteader Should Recheck in 2026
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What to Do With Too Many Tomatoes: A Homestead Glut Plan (2026)
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Dehydrating Tomatoes: Dryer, Oven and Sun-Dried at Home (2026)
Shrink a whole basket of tomatoes into a jar: how to make dehydrated tomatoes in a dryer or oven, store them safely, and use them all winter.
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Canning Salsa: Safe, Approved Ratios for Shelf-Stable Jars (2026)
How to can salsa safely: why the tested ratio of tomatoes to peppers and vinegar is a safety feature, plus a step-by-step water-bath method.
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Canning Tomato Sauce: Start to Finish (2026 Guide)
Turn a heavy harvest into shelf-stable jars: how to can tomato sauce safely, with acidification amounts, USDA-based processing times, and an altitude note.
