How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter Without a Heat Lamp
What extension poultry specialists and fire officials say about keeping a flock warm through winter, with one row each for heat, water, ventilation, frostbite, feed, light and bedding.
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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How to Store Potatoes: Cellar, Basement, Garage or Fridge
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How to Plant Garlic: When, How Deep and Which Type by Zone
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Homemade Applesauce: Make It, Can It, Freeze It
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Apple Butter Recipe: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, and Canned
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How to Dry Herbs: Air Drying, Dehydrator, Oven and Microwave
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How to Make Apple Cider at Home, Safely
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Molting Chickens: How Long It Lasts and What to Feed
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What to Plant in July: 12 Crops for a Real Fall Harvest
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Growing Microgreens Indoors in Winter: A Practical Homestead System
A practical winter system for growing microgreens indoors: what to sow, how much light and warmth they need, and where the work usually goes wrong. This piece offers reflection grounded in real work and mistakes, not instruction. But winter is long, and a little structure helps keep the greens – and the spirits –…
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How to Prevent Botulism When Canning at Home (2026)
Home canning season is here. Learn how to prevent botulism when canning low-acid foods, which method to use, and the warning signs before you taste a jar.
